Kampala, Uganda | URN | The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has proposed sweeping reforms to Uganda’s telecommunications tax regime, including reducing taxes on smartphones, internet data, and mobile money transactions, to make digital services more affordable and accelerate the country’s digital transformation. The proposals are contained in UCC’s report, “A …
Read More »Tax push sparks concern over pressure on businesses
Business leaders say the tax burden is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to manage Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda’s drive to raise more money through domestic taxes is drawing growing concern from economists and business leaders, who warn that the country risks placing too much pressure …
Read More »URA and Tax Appeals Tribunal’s 30% question
Uganda’s private sector pushes for reform of a disputed tax appeals requirement Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | For any business in Uganda, receiving a tax assessment from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is normal. What is becoming impossible, however, is paying to challenge it. Under Section 15(1) of …
Read More »New tax proposals could hit the poor and small firms
Mobile money operators also highlighted the effect of digital transaction taxes on usage, noting that higher costs are already prompting some consumers to revert to cash Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda’s proposed tax measures for the 2026/27 financial year have drawn criticism from civil society groups, …
Read More »Uganda’s tax crossroads
Inside the 2026/27 revenue push, public pushback, and the battle over fairness NEWS ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | On April 2, Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), presented a raft of tax proposals to Parliament to finance a proposed Shs 84 trillion budget for the 2026/27 financial …
Read More »Court stops URA from enforcing disputed tax assessment on betting firm
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Commercial Division of the High Court has ordered the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to halt the collection of at least sh24.7 billion in disputed taxes from betting and gaming company Massalia SMC Limited, pending the determination of an appeal before the court. The …
Read More »Digital tax reforms contribute to steady growth in URA revenue
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has recorded sustained growth in domestic revenue collections, driven in part by improvements in tax administration and the adoption of digital enforcement tools, according to the 2024/25 Auditor General’s Report. The report shows that total government revenue rose from …
Read More »Car Imports: Dealers fear increased taxes
After years of stability, is Uganda’s car import tax regime about to change? Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Importing a car into Uganda has remained costly even though most headline vehicle import taxes have not been raised for several years, according to industry players. However, car dealers and clearing agents …
Read More »Airtel Uganda half-year profits rise 29% as data offsets voice decline
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Airtel Uganda has posted a 28.7% jump in after-tax profit for the first half of 2025, buoyed by strong growth in data services, which offset a fall in voice revenues. The telecom firm reported a profit after tax of Ushs 197.2 billion, up from …
Read More »Qcil pays Shs 19.8bn in taxes, eyes innovation-led growth
The company is establishing a R&D hub, aimed at ramping-up local pharmaceutical manufacturing Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Uganda’s pharmaceutical manufacturer, Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil) paid Shs 19.8 billion in taxes to the government in 2025, up from Shs 15.1 billion a year earlier, following record growth in profits. …
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